Glen Isla - A Little History
"Glen Isla" as
its been known to the locals for some 130 years or so (and
so named by the original founders), offers both genuine
heritage accommodations and modern purpose architected guest
accommodations in classic heritage architecture.
Glen Isla House is not associated in any way with
another property that has adopted a similar name
nearby. Glen Isla is the historic and the original
Glen Isla on Phillip Island!
Glen Isla House offers professional chef-prepared cuisine, extensive
heritage gardens dating back to c1870, genuine old world charm
and country-house elegance.
The original heritage house at Glen Isla was built circa
1870 by the Anderson family (Scottish immigrants to the
area). The house now has an official heritage listing.
It is considered one of the
oldest homes on Phillip Island. It has a heritage planning
overlay and a heritage file
with the National Trust of Australia (although it is not
actually classified). A two-storey timber home, it is
believed to have been brought by sailing ship from the east-coast of America in
kit-form and constructed in its present location.
Originally a large estate and working farm comprising many acres,
over
the years the area around the homestead was reduced with
local developments.
A small collection of historical photos is on display
in the restaurant dining room, depicting Glen Isla around the turn
of the century, and in the early 1900's.
Present owners, Madeleine and Ian Baker purchased
the property some years ago, with the heritage house in need of quite significant
capital and restoration and
works. They have since with considerable work and
expense, restored the
heritage house to its former glory. It is now their private
family residence - preserved for future generations.
They also acquired adjoining properties over
the years to restore the original entrance driveway with
the beautiful Norfolk pine trees and the three 100-year
old English oak trees. There are 3 original wells in the gardens
- although not in use today. Now set in 2 acres of magnificently
landscaped formal gardens (by a leading Melbourne interior and
landscape designer), Glen Isla hosts the purpose-architected
Glen Isla House, unique Small Luxury Hotel Country House
with accommodations for the most discerning guests.
Truly refined accommodations in a heritage setting with
a touch of fascinating history!
For guests seeking a stay in 'Heritage
Accommodations' we offer the Anderson
Heritage Suite. Originally part of the main
heritage house and dating back to c1870, this suite is now a
separate cottage offering history, opulent furnishings and
total privacy for 2 adults.
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Nancy - Our 3 year-old English Staffordshire Terrier
Guest Relations Officer!
Nancy loves people.
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Link
to Ian and Madeleine's grandchildren here
An
Exceptional Cellar
The private cellar at Glen Isla was purpose built,
and designed to store wine in ideal cellaring conditions.
Ian has been a wine enthusiast for some 25 years, and collecting
wine most of that time.
He has visited wine regions in France, Italy,
California (Napa and Sonoma Valleys), New Zealand, South Africa
and of course many of Australia's wine regions in his pursuit
of his wine passions over the years. For a number of years,
while residing overseas, Ian was an active member of a wine
table, which focused on Australian and New Zealand varietals.
The wine list at Glen Isla comprises mostly
Australian varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Noir,
Semillon, Marsanne) rather than blends, with a few select French
and Italian labels also available. There are even magnums for a special occasion and
some hard to find labels and vintages to tempt.
A small selection of wines are available by the glass.
Ian is always pleased to advise on a wine
to suit individual taste and budget, to enjoy in the lounge
overlooking the hertiage gardens or in your accommodations.
Peter Robinson of the Melbourne Age
described the cellar at Glen Isla House as: "Classy"
Click
Here for a hi-res photo gallery of Glen Isla House and
Surrounds
(Warning these photos are around 600kb each
and there are some 9 of them)
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Owners and hosts, Madeleine and
Ian resided overseas for many years and travelled extensively
in UK & France, the USA, preferring to stay
in Small Luxury Hotels, Chateaux, very fine B&B's, guesthouses and country houses.
In fact they resided and worked overseas for some 10 years. The concept
for Glen Isla House came from these travels and experiences,
with the aim to create the very finest accommodation with
absolute privacy, great food & wine and unobtrusive personalised service.
Hundred's of comments in the guestbook reflect on the warm hospitality and the very fine food offered
at Glen Isla House.
Guest privacy is paramount, and guest accommodations
and lounge areas are
quite separate form owner/host accommodations but Ian and Madleine are always
around for local advice or a friendly chat!.
Our philospohy in a nutshell.
When we travel,
we are interested in meeting people, rather than counting mod-cons and room
facilities!
For us, the warmth of welcome and local knowledge
counts for more than gadgets in rooms. Authentic atmosphere and charm (without
glitz and clutter) is more important than spa's and swimming pools! We like
'classic' decor, a touch of history and great hosts....
At
Glen Isla, we offer elegantly furnished, well thought-out accommodations with
everything discerning travellers would expect, along with the personal touch
from the very experienced owners and hosts. Our accommodations are designed to offer
privacy such that guests can come and go as they please or they can enjoy the
warm Australian hospitality in the guest common areas.
All this with a
touch of history, wildlife and nature experiences nearby, the beach just out
the back gate, and of course the now legendary Glen Isla chef-prepared breakfasts!
The subtle European influences at Glen Isla House
came from Ian & Madeleine's extensive travel experiences... Along with their son Martin (also
professional chef) who also resides at Glen Isla, they
are passionate about Glen Isla House!
Ian is an active member of the Phillip Island Tourism
Association, and also a board member of
Destination Phillip Island, the regional tourism association & campaign
committee with responsibility for promotion of Phillip Island as a
destination. As an ex serviceman (he retired as a Major in the Royal
Australian Signals Corps - RASigs), he is also active as a service member
on the executive committee of the local RSL - the Servicemans club.
In 2007 he was appointed by the Governor in Council of
Victoria to the Board of Directors of the Phillip
Island Nature Park - the (not-for-profit) organisation esatblished
by the Victorian Government to manage and administer the Penguins, Koalas, Fur
Seal Colony and much of the natural coastline and southern beaches on Phillip
Island.
Footnote (2008):
Continued massive and punitive increases in State Land
Tax by
the Victorian Government could potentially threaten the future of this beautifully
restored historic property in its present form as exclusive guest
accommodations.
Glen Isla House is unable to
increase more than tariffs three-fold - like the Victorian Government massively increased land
taxes on our property over the past 4 years! (our 2006 Land Tax
Bill rose 385% over the bill in 2004 - that's an increase of 3 1/2
times in just 2 years! - don't be fooled by the political spin - recent
so-called reductions in state Land Tax are out of proportion to the massive
increases in recent years, and yet again small business is the big loser)
Ian and Madeleine
have preserved this outstanding heritage property for future generations, but it seems the
Government of Victoria seeks to tax us (and small business) out of existence
with punitive Land Taxes!
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